Coffee is so yesterday!

The best alternatives for long-lasting energy and mental clarity
© Mae Mu / Unsplash
© Mae Mu / Unsplash
Alexandra Gorsche © Conny Leitgeb Photography
12. March 2025 | 
Alexandra Gorsche
12. March 2025
|
Alexandra Gorsche

For many, coffee is an essential ritual. However, not everyone tolerates caffeine well or benefits from its short-lived energy boost. Scientific findings show that there are effective alternatives that not only promote wakefulness but also enhance concentration and mental stamina. This article explores these alternatives and why they are trending.

When Focus Declines: Do We Really Need Coffee?

Whether working from home, attending long meetings, pulling extended shifts, or engaging in creative projects, our attention is constantly challenged. According to recent studies, we lose focus an average of nine times a day. The reflexive action? Coffee! With 2.25 billion cups consumed daily, it is the world’s most popular beverage. But not everyone tolerates it well: heart palpitations, nervousness, and the dreaded caffeine crash are well-known side effects. Are there alternatives that provide long-lasting energy without side effects? Yes – and they are scientifically proven!

  1. Matcha Tea: Caffeine with Long-Term Effect
    Unlike coffee, matcha tea releases caffeine more slowly, ensuring a balanced state of wakefulness. The combination with L-theanine not only promotes mental clarity but also a calm focus - without the jitters or sensory overload.
  2. Adaptogens & Nootropics: The Science Behind Smarter Energy
    Modern nutritional research shows that adaptogens and nootropics can enhance concentration and cognitive performance. Adaptogens like Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwagandha help the body better manage stress, while nootropics like B vitamins and L-theanine optimize neural signal transmission. A practical example: Juice Plus+ Luminate combines natural caffeine from green coffee beans with adaptogenic and nootropic ingredients. The result? A gentle alertness without nervousness or sudden energy crashes - ideal for those seeking sustained focus.
  3. Guarana: The Long-Lasting Booster
    Guarana contains up to four times more caffeine than coffee, but it releases it more gradually and gently into the body. Particularly during periods of intense mental exertion, it helps prevent energy dips and ensures steady energy levels throughout the day.
  4. Yerba Mate: A Natural Energizer with Antioxidants
    Popular in South America, Yerba Mate offers a blend of caffeine, theobromine, and antioxidants. This not only provides a lasting energy boost but also supports metabolism and digestion - making it a stimulating alternative for both body and mind.
  5. Golden Milk: Adaptogenic Power for Evening Clarity
    For those looking to recharge naturally without caffeine, golden milk is an excellent option. The combination of turmeric, ginger, and pepper has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties - perfect for relieving mental stress and preparing the body for sustainable recovery.

Study: Why we lose focus so often

A comprehensive study by Juice Plus+ and PureSpectrum reveals that modern life is full of distractions - people in Germany lose focus nine times a day on average, while Gen Z experiences this 11 times. The main reasons include:

  • Multitasking (37%)
  • Smartphones & social media (36%)
  • Poor sleep or stress (36%)

Even more striking: After a distraction, it takes an average of 34 minutes to regain full focus - adding up to over five hours of lost productivity per day!

Our conclusion for the future: Energy without side effects is possible

To maintain sustainable physical and mental performance, coffee is not the only solution. Scientifically backed alternatives like matcha, guarana, yerba mate, or adaptogenic formulations like Juice Plus+ Luminate offer stable, gentle focus. In an era of increasing distractions, combining smart nutrition with scientifically proven methods is crucial - for long-lasting and sustainable energy.

For the hospitality and gastronomy sectors, this presents an opportunity to introduce innovative beverages into their offerings. Providing guests with alternatives that not only energize but also promote long-term well-being is a promising direction. The demand for caffeine-free or gently stimulating drinks is growing - an exciting development for businesses that align with modern nutritional trends.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© Mae Mu / Unsplash

The truth lies in the dough

What makes a good pizza: Lessons from Vienna's First Pizza Association

Pizza is one of those dishes that everyone has an opinion about. Almost everyone thinks they understand it—and yet a surprising number of people fail at this culinary “common property”. In Vienna and beyond, Neapolitan pizzerias are now springing up everywhere, some excellent, others whose interest in good pizza comes to an abrupt end. As we all know, quantity does not equal quality. Or, to quote Martin Albrich from the First Vienna Pizza Association: Pizza is bread. And bread forgives nothing.

Beeswax cloth meets bread culture

Zero waste for professionals and guests

The Austrian brand Kumanu shows how circular thinking can be applied in everyday life—and makes doing without plastic both practical and aesthetic. With its “Frischefritz” beeswax wraps and ‘Krümelkarl’ and “Pausenpaul” bread and snack bags, it provides the industry with a well-thought-out solution for keeping food fresh for longer – without any plastic or aluminum foil.

The products are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, organic beeswax from Austria and Germany, and tree resin from traditional pitch production – a combination that has an antibacterial effect and guarantees natural durability.

Leonardo Hotels Cleanup Days

Working together for a clean neighborhood

Leonardo Hotels is expanding its commitment and turning World Cleanup Day 2025 into a European movement: Employees from 140 hotels in 12 countries are participating in cleanup campaigns – from Berlin to Bucharest, from London to Rome. Instead of a single day, the period has been extended to ten days to allow as many teams as possible to participate.

quick & dirty
Matcha © Mae Mu / Unsplash
Coffee is so yesterday!

For many, coffee is an essential ritual. However, not everyone tolerates caffeine well or benefits from its short-lived energy boost. Scientific findings show that there are effective alternatives that not only promote wakefulness but also enhance concentration and mental stamina. This article explores these alternatives and why they are trending.